BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JAMES F. TAYLOR, BPR #18998
Contact: William W. âTrippâ Hunt, III, Disciplinary Counsel
Board of Professional Responsibility
(615) 361-7500, ext. 218
April 17, 2006
MOUNT CARMEL LAWYER CENSURED
On April 3, 2006, the Board of Professional Responsibility issued a public censure to
James F. Taylor, who practices law in Mount Carmel. On June 14, 2000, the complainant
retained Mr. Taylor to represent him relative to aggravated assault charges being brought in
Washington County. The complainant paid Mr. Taylor $3,700. The fee contract provides that if
the âservices of the attorney are terminated or dispensed with for any cause other than the
attorneyâs inability to perform, the fee paid remains deemed earned and no part returned . . . If
some unforeseen event should develop which prevents the attorney from continuing to represent
the client, such portion of the fee paid that exceeds services rendered shall be returned . . .â On
June 22, 2000, Mr. Taylor appeared at a bond reduction hearing for the complainant.. Mr. Taylor
also filed a motion for discovery, made arrangements for a transcript, secured a plea deadline
date, and negotiated a plea offer. The complainant was dissatisfied with the plea offer and
insisted on going to trial. Mr. Taylor then withdrew. There was no refund of fees, even though
the complainant requested a partial refund. Mr. Taylor states that he withdrew because of the
complainantâs âdissatisfaction with my services.â . . . Mr. Taylor further states that his contract
provided that he could keep the entire fee if he were terminated for reasons other than an
inability to perform. Mr. Taylor was obliged to allow the matter to proceed to trial, even if such
was against his advice.
Mr. Taylor was found to have violated RPC 1.4, 1.5, and 8.4(d) of the Rules of
Professional Conduct which governs attorney ethics. This censure does not prevent Mr. Taylor
from continuing to practice law.
Taylor 27112c-1 rel.doc
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